Fashion - our pick of London's charity shops

London has several hundred charity shops, which have become a popular option during the recent financial gloom as everyone hunts for a bargain. Before you remortgage your house to get the latest in designer looks, remember that London’s charity shops might just have what you’re looking for.

By giving charity shops a chance with donations and purchases you’re easing the landfill burden, reducing the effects of disposable fashion and giving something back to your city.

After scouring the city for the best of these for fashion fiends, we picked our five favourites:

Traid, 61 Westbourne Grove, W2 4UA

This west London shop sells such a range of cutting edge items that the store received a mention in Japanese Vogue not so long ago. The original Victorian vitrine makes for a charming entrance into the little shop, well laid out for a good rummage.

The best stuff is at the back in the vintage section where they have everything from faux fur coats to 1980s playsuits (£9.99).

Plus they have loads of information on the charity’s projects dotted around the shop, and reusable shopping bags for sale promoting the growth of endangered trees in Kenya.

Red Cross, 67 Old Church Street, SW3 5BS

Cathy Shimell runs the Red Cross shop just off the Kings Road and has turned it into a landmark famous for its staggering collection of luxury clothing at charity shop prices.

Just scanning the shop floor the rails are filled with Joseph (trousers £9.50!) Pucci dresses, Vivian Westwood samples and Manolo Blahnik shoes which, Cathy informed us, were a donation from the designer himself. It’s an outstanding shop, constantly busy with ever-changing stock including good vintage accessories alongside the designer goodies.

Barnardo's, 7 George Street, W1U 3QH

Here there’s a men’s section to die for, with suits by Paul Smith, Hugo Boss and Pierre Cardin amongst many others on sale for a fraction of retail cost.

The star pick at the time of writing would have to be the pristine men’s Burberry mac for a budget busting £65! They’re doing all right for donations thanks to regular customers wanting to give something back to the charity.

Cancer Research, 24 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4PQ

This shop has regular customers checking in daily for the latest bargains. The accessories prize definitely goes to this store, with a great selection of LK Bennett and Nine West shoes all in the £20 region. Legend has it that sometimes volunteers will open a donation bag to find only designer labelled clothes inside!

Cancer Research also run a project called Revamp in which brand new clothes are designed and made from recycled scraps of clothing. It’s a great way to use the clothes donated that aren’t good enough to sell.

Oxfam, 570 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH

At the Dalston end of the Kingsland Road you’ll find an enormous Oxfam with great value crockery, old vinyl, CDs and a full library. The clothes aren’t as trendy as in some other shops but they make up for it in value for money. All books and baby clothes 99p, general price for single items £2.79 and we spotted a smart pair of Converse trainers in the window for a mouth-watering £2.50. If you’re on for a good rummage, you’ll find some veritable gems.